The SNL Presidential Debates Quiz

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The 2012 SNL Presidential debate is between:

Andy Samberg as the Republican
vs Fred Armisen as the Democrat

Jason Sudeikis as the Republican
vs Fred Armisen as the Democrat

Jason Sudeikis as the Republican
vs Jay Pharaoh as the Democrat

Bill Hader as the Republican
vs Taran Killam as the Democrat

ANSWER: Pharaoh, who has had an Obama impression ready to go since he joined the cast in 2010, finally had the opportunity to use it at the start of the 2012 season when he took over the role as President Obama. Sudeikis, who might otherwise have left the cast, stuck around to play Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Pharaoh, who has had an Obama impression ready to go since he joined the cast in 2010, finally had the opportunity to use it at the start of the 2012 season when he took over the role as President Obama. Sudeikis, who might otherwise have left the cast, stuck around to play Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

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The 1980 SNL Presidential candidates were:

Charles Rocket (Republican)
vs Joe Piscopo (Democrat)

Brian Doyle-Murray (Republican)
vs Harry Shearer (Democrat)

Joe Piscopo (Republican)
vs Tim Kazurinsky (Democrat)

Bill Murray (Republican)
vs Larraine Newman (Democrat)

ANSWER: Rocket portrayed Ronald Reagan and Piscopo was Jimmy Carter. The season started in mid-November. Rocket's Reagan was used sparingly with a majority of the political sketches centering around Carter, wife (Anne Riesley), and daughter (Denny Dillon) reluctantly leaving office. Rocket portrayed Ronald Reagan and Piscopo was Jimmy Carter. The season started in mid-November. Rocket's Reagan was used sparingly with a majority of the political sketches centering around Carter, wife (Anne Riesley), and daughter (Denny Dillon) reluctantly leaving office.

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The 1984 SNL Presidential candidates were:

Gary Kroeger (Republican)
vs Brad Hall (Democrat)

Joe Piscopo (Republican)
vs Dana Carvey (Democrat)

Christopher Guest (Republican)
vs Martin Short (Democrat)

Harry Shearer (Republican)
vs Gary Kroeger (Democrat)

ANSWER: Walter Mondale was played by Kroeger, while Ronald Reagan was played by Shearer at the time of the election. The season did not include a debate sketch. Walter Mondale was played by Kroeger, while Ronald Reagan was played by Shearer at the time of the election. The season did not include a debate sketch.

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The 1988 SNL presidential debate was between:

Dana Carvey (Republican)
vs A. Whitney Brown (Democrat)

Mike Meyers (Republican)
vs Kevin Nealon (Democrat)

Dana Carvey (Republican)
vs Jon Lovitz (Democrat)

Phil Hartman (Republican)
vs Jon Lovitz (Democrat)

ANSWER: George H.W. Bush was played by Carvey, while Lovitz played Michael Dukakis. George H.W. Bush was played by Carvey, while Lovitz played Michael Dukakis.

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The 1992 SNL Presidential debate was between:

Dana Carvey (Republican)
vs Phil Hartman (Democrat)
vs David Spade (Independent)

Dana Carvey (Republican)
vs Kevin Nealon (Democrat)
vs Mark McKinney (Independent)

Phil Hartman (Republican)
vs Mike Meyers (Democrat)
vs Jon Lovitz (Independent)

Dana Carvey (Republican)
vs Phil Hartman (Democrat)
vs Dana Carvey (Independent)

ANSWER: Carvey portrayed both George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot, while Phil Hartman played Bill Clinton. Answer A is almost true in the sense that in the establishing longshot at the start of the skit, David Spade stood in wearing a Ross Perot wig, but once the debate started, the camera switched between Carvey as Perot and Carvey as Bush. Carvey portrayed both George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot, while Phil Hartman played Bill Clinton. Answer A is almost true in the sense that in the establishing longshot at the start of the skit, David Spade stood in wearing a Ross Perot wig, but once the debate started, the camera switched between Carvey as Perot and Carvey as Bush.

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The 1996 SNL Presidential debate was between:

Phil Hartman (Republican)
vs Michael McKean (Democrat)

Norm McDonald (Republican)
vs Darrell Hammond (Democrat)

Darrell Hammond (Republican)
vs Phil Hartman (Democrat)

Kevin Nealon (Republican)
vs Dana Carvey (Democrat)

ANSWER: McDonald's impression of Bob Dole as a bitter crotchety man later inspired Dole to cameo on SNL to poke fun at himself. Talented impressionist Hammond took over as Bill Clinton in his first season on the show the year before. McDonald's impression of Bob Dole as a bitter crotchety man later inspired Dole to cameo on SNL to poke fun at himself. Talented impressionist Hammond took over as Bill Clinton in his first season on the show the year before.

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The 2000 SNL Vice Presidential debate was between:

Darrell Hammond (Republican)
vs Chris Katan (Democrat)

Norm McDonald (Republican)
vs Darrell Hammond (Democrat)

Darrell Hammond (Republican)
vs Chris Parnell (Democrat)

Will Ferrell (Republican)
vs Darrell Hammond (Democrat)

ANSWER: Hammond played Dick Cheney while Parnell played Joe Lieberman. Hammond played Dick Cheney while Parnell played Joe Lieberman.

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The 2000 SNL Presidential debate was between:

Will Ferrell (Republican)
vs Darrell Hammond (Democrat)

Darrell Hammond (Republican)
vs Colin Quinn (Democrat)

Will Forte (Republican)
vs Seth Meyers (Democrat)

Darrell Hammond (Republican)
vs Chris Parnell (Democrat)

ANSWER: Ferrell coined the term "strategery" in his portrayal of George W. Bush and later reprised his impression in a one-man Broadway show. Hammond played Al Gore. Ferrell coined the term "strategery" in his portrayal of George W. Bush and later reprised his impression in a one-man Broadway show. Hammond played Al Gore.

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The 2004 SNL Vice Presidential debate was between:

Darrell Hammond (Republican)
vs Fred Armisen (Democrat)

Will Forte (Republican)
vs Chris Katan (Democrat)

Tina Fey (Republican)
vs Jason Sudeikis (Democrat)

Darrell Hammond (Republican)
vs Will Forte (Democrat)

ANSWER: Hammond reprised his role as Dick Cheney while Forte played a very smiley and sunny John Edwards. Hammond reprised his role as Dick Cheney while Forte played a very smiley and sunny John Edwards.

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The 2004 SNL Presidential debate was between:

Will Forte (Republican)
vs Chris Parnell (Democrat)

Will Forte (Republican)
vs Seth Meyers (Democrat)

Darrell Hammond (Republican)
vs Chris Parnell (Democrat)

Will Ferrell (Republican)
vs Will Forte (Democrat)

ANSWER: Forte was one of several people--including Jason Sudeikis, Darrell Hammond, and Chris Parnell--who took the reins as President Bush following Ferrell's departure. Meyers played John Kerry. Forte was one of several people--including Jason Sudeikis, Darrell Hammond, and Chris Parnell--who took the reins as President Bush following Ferrell's departure. Meyers played John Kerry.

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The 2008 SNL Vice Presidential debate was between:

Tina Fey (Republican)
vs Fred Armisen (Democrat)

Tina Fey (Republican)
vs Jason Sudeikis (Democrat)

Jason Sudeikis (Republican)
vs Will Forte (Democrat)

Andy Samberg (Republican)
vs Horatio Sanz (Democrat)

ANSWER: Fey, who was no longer on the cast at the time, won an Emmy for playing Sarah Palin. Since introducing the character of Biden, Sudeikis' portrayal would become increasingly exaggerated, until he started to resemble a man-child in a recent skit spoofing the Cosby show. Fey, who was no longer on the cast at the time, won an Emmy for playing Sarah Palin. Since introducing the character of Biden, Sudeikis' portrayal would become increasingly exaggerated, until he started to resemble a man-child in a recent skit spoofing the Cosby show.

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The 2008 SNL Presidential debate was between:

Jason Sudeikis (Republican)
vs Fred Armisen (Democrat)

Darrell Hammond (Republican)
vs Bill Hader (Democrat)

Tina Fey (Republican)
vs Jason Sudeikis (Democrat)

Darrell Hammond (Republican)
vs Fred Armisen (Democrat)

ANSWER: Hammond played John McCain (in 2000, he had been portrayed by Chris Parnell) while Armisen played Barack Obama. Hammond played John McCain (in 2000, he had been portrayed by Chris Parnell) while Armisen played Barack Obama.

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The 2012 SNL Vice Presidential debate will be between:

Bill Hader (Republican)
vs Fred Armisen (Democrat)

Bobby Moynihan (Republican)
vs Fred Armisen (Democrat)

Taran Killam (Republican)
vs Jason Sudeikis (Democrat)

Bill Hader (Republican)
vs Seth Meyers (Democrat)

ANSWER: Although Killam hasn't had a chance to debut his impression as of the time this quiz was written, it has been reported he will play Republican VP candidate Paul Ryan. Sudeikis will play Joe Biden. Although Killam hasn't had a chance to debut his impression as of the time this quiz was written, it has been reported he will play Republican VP candidate Paul Ryan. Sudeikis will play Joe Biden.

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